Last month, Canonical launched Ubuntu 8.10 with significant new features and performance upgrades over previous versions. But what is becoming increasingly clear is that the free, downloadable operating system has in many critical ways caught or surpassed Microsoft’s flagship desktop operating system—and poses a significant threat to the software giant if the market catches on.

Connecting to a network via Ethernet, Wi-Fi or wireless broadband is now possible with two clicks—an advance Ubuntu 8.10 brought forth during its release last month.  Full Piece